Caught...

Yup caught in the act today out with my new lycra skull cap - sexy!! ;-) On Saturday's run I got brain freeze like I had eaten way too much ice cream wild fast so something needed to be done. I'm lovin the new bike although all the salt on the roads is worrying me. I know, I know but I've waited soooo long for this wee gem I'm not ready to risk any damage just yet.

Peter becomes a roadie at last...

My blog has been a bit stale for a while. I’ve written nothing other than stats really without any significant opinion. I’m not sure what that’s about other than I know it’s been a real struggle over the past few months and I just wanted to get on without thinking about it too much.

*

Back in September I was gutted to realise that over the summer I had put over a stone on and to add insult to injury I’m still trying to reclaim the ground I lost. It’s too de-motivating to think that since September all I’ve been doing is playing catch up. Although to be fair whilst my weight loss has been in recovery my fitness has grown substantially.

Last week, a new day dawned. I’ve been continuing to enjoy cycling these past few months and I’ve wanted to take it to the next level for a while now. The next level is to get a road bike and seriously up my mileage. I’ve been scared of this as to be honest people who ride road bikes tend to be wafer thin and ultra serious about their sport. I decided to stuff the fear of what I would look like and what people would think and go for it, we are only through this way once in life and I’m already 36.

*

I came across an offer on Trek Madone that I couldn’t refuse. Lets be honest here, it’s the best looking bike on the market by miles and to get a 30% discount on it was not to be ignored. 2010 will bring price hikes beyond belief and if I was going to make the change the time was now. So I took the plunge and went for it lock, stock and two smoking barrels. I bought the fancy pedals and the shoes that make you walk like a penguin and I even bought some leggings. I’m so far out of my comfort zone its not even funny but it sure is exciting.

*

Enjoy the pics of the new bike and look out for updates on how I’m doing with the Madone.

My weight today...

17st 9.5lbs (247.5lbs)
1.5lb lighter than last week! 55.5lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

*A solid performance this week with some hard decisions not to eat having to be made. I also haven't been overly well so this is the icing on the cake.

Weekly exercise summary...

Monday - Turbo trainer & weights
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - Turbo trainer & weights
Thursday - Cycle
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Cycle
Sunday - Rest

My weight today...

17st 11lbs (249lbs)
1.25lb lighter than last week! 54lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

*Given that I was 18st 1lb on Tuesday I'll take it and will be happy!! ;-)

Weekly exercise summary...

Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Gym (50 mins cardio)
Wednesday - Turbo trainer & weights
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Gym (60 mins cardio + 20 minutes weights)
Saturday - Turbo trainer & weights
Sunday - Rest

My weight today...

17st 12.25lbs (250.25lbs)
1lb heavier than last week! 52.75lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

Loving my exercise - struggling with my consumption levels...

My weight today...

17st 11.25lbs (249.25lbs)
The same as last week! 53.75lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

Grid-loc, if I'm honest my eating hasn't been bad but neither has it been good so its a fair result. I think I'm at the stage where I need to take my dieting seriously and not just rely on my exercise to have an effect.

Encouraging news...

On a weight loss & fitness front it’s been a very encouraging day. First of all I took a walk up Slieve Croob and was very impressed by how I physically responded. There was no sore feet, no sore knees and my heart rate and breathing were in a far better position than I expected them to be. Perhaps I’ve caught up with the fitness I lost over the summer, it even felt like I had surpassed it a bit.

Secondly I am delighted to announce that I’ve dropped a jean size down to a 36” waist. To think when I started 15 or so months ago I had a 44” waste. I’m chuffed.

The timing of both pieces of news is particularly good as yesterday I eat like a Hippo. I’m still very aware that for me food = comfort and at times I’m literally driven towards food. Will this ever go or will it always be something I have to wrestle with and manage? Truth be told but I’d rather manage it than ignore it which is what I’ve done for years.

My weight today...

17st 11.25lbs (249.25lbs)
1lbs lighter than last week! 53.75lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

Weekly exercise summary...

Monday - Gym (60 mins cardio + 20 minutes weights)
Tuesday - Swim (32 lengths)
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Gym (60 mins cardio + 20 minutes weights)
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Cycle (23 miles)
Sunday - Rest

My weight today

17st 12.25lbs (250.25lbs)
3.25lbs lighter than last week! 52.75lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

Weekly Exercise Summary

Monday* - Rest
Tuesday - Swim (20 lengths)
Wednesday - Windows
Thursday - Gym (50 mins cardio + 20 minutes weights)
Friday - Gym (60 mins cardio + 20 minutes weights)
Saturday - Cycle (15 miles - in the dark & heavy rain = double weight loss ;-)
Sunday - Rest


*On Monday I went for a run but my knees hurt so much I had to stop. Unfortunately I think running has been put on hold till I'm a lot lighter.

My weight today...

18st 1.5lbs (253.5lbs)
1.5lbs lighter than last week! 49.5lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

Weekly exercise summary

Monday - Jog (2 miles)
Tuesday - Cycle (16 miles)
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Cycle (15 miles)
Friday - Gym (45 mins cardio + 20 minutes weights)
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Rest

My weight today...

18st 3lbs (255lbs)
1lbs heavier than last week! 48lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

Unbelievable - to be fair I thought I had done well and had had high hopes of getting under 18st this week... So that’s how the cookie crumbles but truth be told I'm thoroughly enjoying my training at the moment which compensates. Part of this journey is to change my lifestyle to a more active one and that’s what’s happened. In some respects I’m wondering is it a healthy thing not to equate my training with weight loss. Therefore if I don’t lose weight I don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and stop training.

*

This incoming week I’m going to focus on portion sizes and getting that article to you I promised on illegal conversations….

*

Till next time!

Weekly exercise summary

Monday - Gym (1 hours aerobic, 20 mins weights)
Tuesday - Jog (2 miles)
Wednesday - Cleaning windows (exercise enough, trust me)
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Jog (2 miles)
Saturday - Cycle (15 miles)
Sunday - Rest

Cut & Paste

Any ideas why I can no longer cut and paste from word onto explorer? Frustrating as eck

My weight today... (Strange times indeed)

18st 2lbs (254lbs)
3.25lbs lighter than yesterday!! 1.5lbs lighter than last week! 49lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

Sorry to be unpleasant but on Saturday night I ate late and I ate heavy. This morning I am a massive and gob-smacking 3.25lbs lighter than the same time yesterday morning!! All I can say is that it must have been waste in transit - the sense of relief being tangible in every sense ;-)

Coming up: - An item on illegal conversations....

My weight today...

18st 5.25lbs (257.25lbs)
1.75lbs heavier than last week - 45.75lbs than Aug '08 (303lbs)

If I'm honest with myself there was a few heavy eating days this week however I thought the exercise would prevent weight gain - I was wrong! I'm now getting seriously frustrated with my diet however I am back to a place were I'm enjoying my exercise. I bought decent running shoes this week with added support to prevent injury so its full steam ahead for that particular aspect of my training.

Weekly exercise summary...

Monday* - Rest
Tuesday - Swim (20 lengths)
Wednesday* - Gym (30 minutes cardio plus light weights)
Thursday* - Rest
Friday - Swim (32 lengths)
Saturday - Jog (2 miles)
Sunday - Rest

*The evenings I took a small walk

My weight today

18st 3.5lbs (255.5lbs)
0.75lbs lighter than last week - 47.5lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)


To be quite frank I was expecting more as I exercised 5 times this week. Given that my exercise regime has been heavily reduced for two months it was darn hard work and fatigue and stiffness were in plentiful amounts. I'm tempted to use the old mantra excusing it by stating muscle gain, however a loss is a loss and I'll take it any day over a gain!

Weekly exercise summary

Monday - Cycled 19 miles
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - Gym
Thursday - Walk
Friday - Cycled 15 miles
Saturday - Walk
Sunday - Rest


*This week I would like to return to swimming, I've missed it over the past few months and I want to continue to enjoy a wide variety of exercise.

A quick review...

I have to be real with myself, to get below 16st for Christmas is no longer a healthy nor realistic target to set myself. My aim is now to be below 16st 7lbs and even at that its going to be a steep challenge...

I also want to keep in mind that its a high level of cross fitness that I'm aiming for so between here and Christmas I want to further embrace other disciplines that I have not worked on since before the summer. Stuff like hillwalking, swimming and maybe some jogging. As Linfield fans such as myself say "Audaces Fortuna Juvat" - thats fortune favors the brave for the ignorant ;-) onwards and upwards!

My weight today...

18st 4.25lbs (256.25lbs)
1.25lbs lighter than last week.
*

It has to be said that traditionally I've found it hard at the start or restart of a campaign to get both my diet in place as well as my exercise regime - gettin the right balance seems hard to achieve. For the first few weeks I seem to be able to get one working and in place but not the other and it does tend to switch for a while. This week was no different as I was on top of my diet but life took over and I only got out on my bike once. That said the outing was a flat out 18 miler. This week past has been the complete opposite of the previous week as I execise regularly but failed to control my diet. Here's to a new week and great balance between exercise and diet! Thanks for reading...

My weight...

18st 5.5lbs (257.5lbs)
1lb heavier than last week

The good news is I cycled 45 miles this week and feel like I'm starting to get back on track but I do need to get a move on if I'm going to be anywhere near my target of 16st for Christmas...

My weight today...

18st 4.5lbs (256.5lbs)
0.5lbs lighter than last week

My weight today

18st 5lbs (257lbs)
10.25lbs heavier than last time
The come back is now on, a fresh new year and a fresh new challenge 16st for Christmas.

My weight today

17st 8.75lbs (246.75lbs)
2.25lbs heavier than last week - 4 stone lighter than this day last year!!! ;-)



Yesterday marked a year since I made significant changes to my lifestyle and chose health over obesity. 4 stone lost in 12 months and I have to say I’m as happy as a fish in the ocean. I’ve been having a hard time this summer sticking to my regime but achievements like this serve only to spur me on. The good news is I’m still focused on being below 16 stone for Christmas and below 14 for next summer. I’ve a week left of holidays to take so I’m sure at best my weight will remain the same for a few weeks and worst there will be one or two gains.

I do want to say a massive thanks for travelling with me through this last year and I hope you’ll stay with me for the next.

My weight today...

17st 6.5lbs ( 244.5lbs)
1.5lbs lighter than last time, 58.75lbs lighter from August '08.

*Not bad considering I weighed in on Monday at 17st 10.5lbs

My weight today...

17st 8lbs (246lbs)
3.5lbs heavier than last week, 57.25lbs lighter since August '08.

* A week full of lessons - lets move on...

My weight today...

17st 4.5lbs (242.5lbs)
2.5lbs lighter than last week, 60.75lbs lighter than August '08.

Time to Celebrate!

Early in August 2008 as I walked round Drumkeeragh Forest the challenge came to me to lose 2 stone every 6 months. I blogged about it and this is what I said:

"As I walked and prayed round a local forest yesterday the thought came to me that if 18 months ago someone had offered me the chance to loose 2 stone every 6 months I’d now be 16 stone. Would I have taken it? You’re too right – I’d have settled for that quicker than a quick thing."

So that was my starting point and the targets of 20 stone for 1st January '09 and 18 for July '09 were set. It’s with great pride that I can now say that both have been reached and so the target is now 16 stone for Christmas '09.

In marking this achievement I thought I’d record all my measurements etc found below – Thanks folks for all your support!
*

Personal stats (A quick review)

Neck = 16 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than May '09 - 1 inch smaller than Jan '09)
Upper arm = 13.5 Inches (1 inch smaller than May '09 - 1 inch smaller than Jan '09)
Fore arm = 11.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than May '09 - same as Jan '09)
Chest = 44.5 Inches (1 inch smaller than May '09 - 3 inches smaller than Jan '09)
Stomach = 52 Inches (1.5 inches smaller than May '09 - 4.5 inches smaller than Jan '09)
Waist = 42.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than May '09 - 2.5 inches smaller than Jan '09)
Thigh = 23.25 Inches (0.75 inches smaller than May '09 - 0.25 inches bigger than Jan '09)
Calf = 17.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than May '09 - 0.5 inches smaller than Jan '09)

Resting Heart Rate = 52bpm (Strange but I can't find previous records - but I think it was 65)
BMI = 36.24 (37.72 - 1 point smaller than April '09)

My weight today...

17st 6.75lbs (244.75lbs)
2.25lbs lighter than last week

58.25lbs lighter than August '08

*

(This was the week Dad and I climbed Slieve Donard after talking about it for many years)

Weekly exercise summary...

Monday - Rest day
Tuesday - Climbed Slieve Donard (Burnt over 4000 calories)
Wednesday - Rest day (Donard near crippled me)
Thursday - Gym (Cross trainer for 40 mins & Stepper 20 mins)
Friday - Gym (Cross trainer for 55 mins)
Saturday - Cycle (20 miles)

My Dad & I at the summit of Donard...

My weight today...

17st 9lbs (247lbs)
1lb heavier than last week - 56lbs lighter than August '08

Celebrating getting to the half way mark!

*I'm confused to be honest as I weighed 17st 6lbs earlier in the week and my diet has been good(ish) with my exercise intense. The other side of the coin but is that I've now past the "I've lost 4 stone mark" and I'm half way towards my target. It's onwards and upwards...

**Smokin cigars is not recommended for anything other than one off celebrations ;-)

Weekly exercise summary

Monday - Rest day
Tuesday - A day on the windows (intensive enough I can insure you)
Wednesday - Circuit training (ran 3 miles)
Thursday - Swimming (32 lengths)
Friday - Gym (1 hour on the cross trainer - avg heart rate 150bpm)
Saturday - Rest day

*This coming week I hopefully am climbing Slieve Donard with my dad. An event I've been training for amd I'm so looking forward to.

My weight this weekend...

17st 8lbs (246lbs)
2.5lbs lighter than last week - 57lbs lighter than August '08

Weekly exercise summary

Monday – Walked 5 miles
Tuesday – Walked 2 miles
Thursday – Cycled 22 miles
Saturday – Circuit training (3 miles)

I have a confession...

I have to confess that I’ve started to do something I said I never would – jog! I’ve not really considered it as previous adolescent experiences told me that its mind numbingly boring but also I feared three things. Firstly, the explosion of my lungs after 20 seconds of effort. Secondly, that I would need a torso bra type device to stop the massive and potentially painful wibble wobble of my midriff and chest. Finally, that my joints would bust open with the pressure my weight would put on them.

Last week, however, in an attempt to introduce some freshness to my exercise regime I jogged a little. Now, I do mean a little as I ran round a side of a football pitch, walked round the next, jogged the next and so on till I got round the pitch 3 times. I then went back into the gym for something a little less demanding.

I was pleasantly surprised by this experience jogging and the lack of pain afterwards and so this week I thought I would include it again. This time I used some playing fields which had a running track marked out on it for a school sports days. I had my GPS unit with me and it told me that my walking, jogging and sprints all added up to 3 miles. Not that impressive for some but a respectable enough distance for me. In between sprints etc I also did some press ups etc taken from the circuit training I did as a lad when I played rugby. In total my heart monitor told me that in 50 minutes I had burnt 609 calories, 45% of which was fat, my average heart rate was 133 bpm and my max 175.

All and all I enjoyed it although if I want to continue down this road my feet will have to toughen up as I now have two fairly large blisters on the arches of my feet. New trainers should also help with this when my budget allows. However, I’m not so sure how to resolving my hamstrings gurning like a bunch of old lads at the cost of living.

I think I might start to consider getting myself ready for some circuit training classes in the autumn. Who would have thought?

My weight today...

17st 10.5lbs (248.5lbs)
0.5lbs lighter than last week - 54.5lbs lighter than August '08

THE BIG NEWS

I've reached the half way point...

To be honest I woke this morning to the realisation that after the biggest week of exercise I’ve ever had I’d lost the grand total of half a pound. I was disgusted!

Then I reminded myself of the fact that struck me earlier this week – I’m now 54lbs lighter and half way towards my goal! This is big news and news I should hold tightly to. To have lost this in 9 months is a big achievement. The truth is that this was achieved on week after week of small loses and so as long as I’m heading in the right direction I should hold my head high.

Weeks of big weight losses are dangerous as they set high expectations for the following week which if not met can then lead to a massive downer. I’ll take my half pound and be thankful. Here’s to the next one…

Weekly exercise summary

Monday - Cycled 18 miles
Wednesday - Walked 9 miles in the Mournes
Thursday - Gym
Saturday - Cycled 26 miles

My weight today...

17st 11lbs (249lbs)
5.25lbs lighter than last week - 54lbs lighter than August '08
*

It must have been the golf I played earlier in the week with my brother in law... ;-)

*This places me second in my weight loss competition on "DailyBurn" (nee Gyminee)

My weight today...

18st 2.25lbs (254.25lbs)
2.75lbs heavier than last week - 48.75lbs lighter than August '08

Gutted...

OOOOOOPPPS!!! If I’m honest I’m stunned at how much weight I’ve put on this week. Yes, I ate two birthday meals including desserts but the exercise I did I thought more than compensated for that…

Sunday – Walked 3 miles.
Monday – Cycled 15 miles (on my flaming birthday too)
Wednesday – Cycled 15 miles.
Thursday – Walked 6 miles.
Saturday – Walked 3 miles most of which was on hills.

The result is so bad that I’m actually at the bottom of the Gyminee weight loss table for the challenges I’m involved in. In fact so bad are things that every other competitor (17 in total) is displaying a loss whilst I’m actually heavier than I was when I began.

I’m gutted especially when I consider how tired I’ve been and how much effort all the exercise took. I suppose the lesson, if there is one is not to over rely on exercise!

(Why all the walking? I'm training for a walk up Slieve Donard next month with wee iron man Rob - my Dad. I'm training simply because I want to enjoy the day rather than suffer it)

Tips learnt from the journey...

Tip 9 - Understanding and being prepared for what lies ahead
On the weight loss front the last 6 – 7 weeks has been a real roller coaster of a ride. Over April I lost 2lbs, put it back on and lost it again. Some weeks since I haven’t lost anything and some I’ve lost only a very small amount. The truth is but that that’s ok – this is a life long journey and it’s the direction I’m travelling in that counts most, not the distance.
*

Somewhere in my head there is a part that believes that one day I will wake up and have lost all my access weight. (This part is truth). I then believe that this means that I will then be “normal” (Also truth - ish ;-) Then the big fat lie comes that says I will then be free from thinking about what I can eat and what I can’t. I will be able to just live without the need to focus on my diet and its content. Now, for some people I know this is the case but truth be told it won’t be for me and nor is it for the majority of us. Somehow I forget that the majority of us need to focus on our intake, it’s just that some have learnt to manage it better than others. As a side issue don’t you just hate those that make it look effortless.

This journey has taught me that overeating is an eating disorder and in some ways can be compared to an addiction. I believe that as long as I can remember and accept that I’m an overeater in recovery and that that’s the way it will remain, I should be ok. Luckily I’ve watched a close family member beat an addiction and walked the walk of recovery for many years. The man is an inspiration!!

My weight today...

17st 13.5lbs (251.5lbs)
1.5lbs lighter than last week - 51.5lbs lighter than August '08


In celebration of breaking the 18 stone mark and getting below it for the first time I thought I’d share with you this line graph. This is a chart that shows the pattern to my weight loss since August ’08. I like the way it affirms the consistency of the journey indicating no major blips - it’s pretty pleasing to the eye. Still we are only half way into the journey and this is not the time to get cocky!!

Tips learnt from the journey...

Tip 8 - Keep alert to diet invaders!

It’s funny how things creep back into your diet when you’re not looking. I’m finding that I’m having to analysis what I’m eating every 2 – 3 weeks. You ban chocolate, then subtly things like low fat chocolate biscuits creep in through the back door using such excuses like – they’re not real chocolate anyway… My advice keep an eye open and keep alert, and if it helps record what your eating. It’s amazing the things that can catch you off guard…

*

My weight today...

18st 1lbs (253lbs)
1lb lighter than last week - 50lbs lighter than August '08
*
*I've lost my first 50lbs - what an achievement, another 3.5lbs and I'll be at the half way point!!

Before & After...

I'm not normally a big fan of before and after pictures as I often find the subject hard to deal with. It's one thing to write about being fat and another to then look at an image of just how
fat you were and are. That said I'm keen to record the journey and these two pictures seem to do just that. The girl for the few of you who haven't had the pleasure is my wee sister Angela, and the fella is my oldest friend Jeremy who I'm still unfortunate enough to be in regular contact with ;-) We've known each other since we were 12 or so.

My weight today...

18st 2lbs
2.5lbs lighter than last week - 49lbs lighter than August '08

*Just short of having lost 5lbs in two weeks (0.25lbs short) I think its safe to say I'm back in the grove after the disaster that was April! I'm back to the lighest I've ever been and I'm no longer playing catch up so to speak - happy days!

Record breakers!

Can I hear in the distance Roy Castle playing his trumpet..? This past week we’ve had constant rain and I didn’t get my midweek ride in. So as I took the bike down the street this morning I wondered could I push for 18 miles? This would see me achieve my target of 30 miles for the week and I was keen to see that happen. So far my record for distance in a single journey has sat at 20 miles. Unfortunately but this was done on the Lagan tow path which is completely flat and so it wasn’t a record I held with much pride. Given that this morning’s run was going to be on local roads which roll over hills like ocean waves on a windy day, 18 miles was always going to a BIG ask. I’m delighted to say I covered the ground and then did 4 more… We’re fairly suckin diesel now as my old friend Hugo used to say! Onwards and upwards…
*

My measurements (Personal stats)

Neck = 16.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than March '09)

Upper arm = 14.5 Inches (0.5 inches bigger than March '09)

Fore arm = 12 Inches (0.5 inches bigger than March '09)

Chest = 45.5 Inches (1 inch smaller than March '09)

Stomach = 53.5 Inches (1.5 inches smaller than March '09)

Waist = 43 Inches (2 inches smaller than March '09)

Thigh = 24 Inches (Same as March '09)

Calf = 18 Inches (1 inch bigger than March '09)

My priority is to lose bulk from my torso and I'm delighted to see it happening the areas of growth can be explained by exercise - good result!!

Tips learnt from the journey...

Tip 7 - Keep accountable...

Introduce accountability to your journey. I use this blog but for others blogging may be too public and would prefer instead to use friends. I also use websites like "Gyminee" which records my weight and exercise on a daily/weekly basis and allows me to enter in to challenges such as "50lbs loss for 2009" "First to loose 20lbs" and "Cycle 100 miles".

**I've currently recuiting people for my own Gyminee challenge which is a race for people to lose 10lbs before I lose 15lbs... (If you are interested let me know before Monday)

XXXL no more...

It’s been a great start to the week with a swim yesterday that seen 2 minutes knocked off my personal best for 32 lengths. Today seen my biggest ride yet on the local roads, a ride of 12 miles. I did 20 about a month a go on the lagan towpath but it was all on the flat and so to my mind doesn’t really count. Today the hills and I got up close and personal and I came out at the end with a big smile on my face. I felt stronger than last week and generally more confident. We’ll see in the morning just how my legs feel about it.
*
My biggest news is I now fit smaller t-shirts!! I ordered a few new t-shirts for the summer and I took the brave move of ordering them a size smaller than I normally do. For the last number of years I’ve worn XXXL but they are starting to look a little big and I thought I’d push my luck and order smaller. I’m glad I did as they fit well. I’ve seen my jeans reduce in size but as yet this is the first time I’ve ordered smaller tops. Talking of “ordered” I’m really looking forward to no longer “ordering” clothes over the internet and instead buying them in shops!

See ya on down the road – good night sleep tight!!

My weight today...

18st 4.5lbs
2.25lbs lighter than last week - 46.5lbs lighter than August '08

*Incredible given my diet this week and a result I'm very thankful for!!
**This incoming week I'm going to try to up the number of trips on my bike from 2 - 3 and increase the total milage from 14 to 30(ish).

Over the sickner of exercise...

It’s been a week for quality training and I think I can safely say I have got over my sickner of exercise. (I now wish I could get back to controlling my food intake as well as I had been doing) Yesterday I went swimming and had a great time. For the last month I have been doing my 32 lengths by doing 3 breast stroke followed by two front crawl and not stopping throughout the session. Yesterday I upped it to 3 breast stroke and 3 front crawl. I was delighted by how my body adapted to it. It might have something to do with all the hillwalking I did last week but a month or so ago when I moved from 1 length of front crawl to two in a row my body felt it. As I approached 32 my limbs knew they had been through the mill. There was none of that yesterday and I was chuffed.
*

Today just to prove to myself that completing Thursday’s bike ride wasn’t a one of I did the same route again but going round it anti clockwise this time. It was a great ride and there is a lot to be said for hitting the roads at 7am.

It’s been a good week which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed – I’m not sure the scales will indicate much tomorrow, we’ll see. Priority for next week is to continue with the training at the new levels but more importantly regain my focus on my diet.

**Ps Thanks Debs for the encouragment - it came at the right moment! ;-)

Cycling round the hilly block (of fields)

I live in a rural area where the only think flat thing is last weekends half finshed bottle of Coke. I’ve recently been feeling courageous and I’ve gradually been hitting more and more of the roads. I tend to ride somewhere between 5 – 10 miles as a result of the battering the hills give my fitness and knees. I would like to ride further but my fitness has some way to go yet. I'm normally intimated by hills but recently I conquered what I call the double trouble hill and after that I decided not to allow myself to be intimidated again (within reason).
*

Today I cycled by road a square route that took me to through a local village and back. The hill out of village is quite steep and you have four miles of hills to get there and three miles back. I’ve fancied conquering this particularly hilly route for a week of two and today I did. It will be interesting to see how my knees cope in the morning but for now I’m a happy boy!

After talking of inspiration in the post below I thought you might like to take a look at what this girl has achieved through cycling...

Top tips learnt from the journey...

Tip 6 - Fill up on inspiration
A recent experience I’ve benefited from on the journey is the inspiration I’ve received from reading other people’s weight loss blogs. It’s good to know that other people are having the same struggles and that there are people out there who have lost their weight and are now managing to keep it off. You’ll find links to a few of my favourites down the right hand column but by way of a taster let me point you in the direction of Gary who started by weighing 39 stone and is now under 24 and training to do a sponsored cycle. Then there is Frank and he’s passed the finishing line through cycling and has lost over 100lbs. I know neither of these individuals personally but have been inspired by their blogs and the journey they have shared. Here is also a wee write up from the BBC about Frank's journey. So this week’s tip is to make sure you get your fill of inspiration, it will fuel you on as you travel on down the road of weight loss. See you on down the road…
*

My weight today...

18st 6.75lbs
2.75lbs heavier than last week - 44.25lbs lighter than August '08

*Easter took its toll - this week we need to get serious...

Top tips learnt from the journey...

Tip 5 - Getting to the root!
Discover why you are overweight and work on disempowering the reason. I suspect that in the majority of cases a weight problem is the side affect of head issues such like low self esteem or self worth, psychological trauma etc. If you comfort eat use your inner voice to challenge, balance and eventually disable the negative messages you give yourself.

Being overweight is a psychological problem more than a physical one, at least it is for me. Whatever the reason you may want to consider counselling. I did and it really helped me.

My weight today...

18st 4lbs

1lb lighter than last week - 47lbs lighter than August '08

*I've been feeling really tired all week so I'm going to reduce the intensity of my training for this incoming week. A challenge given the potential calorie intake during Easter week. Happy Easter folks...

Top tips learnt from the journey...

Tip 4 - BIG goals & small targets

I have often been beaten by unrealistic expectations and by starting regimes that were unsustainable. I've learnt that there is nothing wrong with BIG goals but to attain them I need to use a number of small targets as stepping stones in my journey to achieving them.

*

*The ironic pert is that I've used this strategy in my professional career for years. Its quite a basic tip and yet its taken me years to apply it to my health.

My weight today...

18st 5lbs
1.25lbs lighter than last week - 46lbs lighter than August '08

*Twas a great week for exercise. I took the bike for a 5 mile blast over lots of the Dromara hills via road. I wouldn't have had the fitness to do this in the past and my knees didn't hurt after either. Happy days!

Top tips learnt from the journey...

Tip 3 - Take a chill pill when ill - taken fresh from last weeks disaster
Only exercise lightly when you are ill (and not like a demon possessed)
Don’t introduce a new workout when you are ill (and then wonder why it’s killing you)
Allow yourself to be tired and your mood poor when ill. (Contrary belief you are not a superhero)
Look away from food for comfort when you are ill. (Chocolate does not have medical properties)
Keep the alarm bells on around food when you’re ill. (Selective deafness will not stop weight gain)

Finally my wife told me all of this throughout the week repeatedly - so on reflection - always listen to your wife especially when you’re ill!!!

My weight today...

18st 6.25lbs
2.75lbs heavier than last week - 44.75lbs lighter than August '08
*








*See post below "The beast in me" for explaination...

The beast in me...

Johnny Cash sang a song called "The beast in me" which always resonated with myself, it’s all about the dark side within him. The dark side we all have if we're honest, the side that lives in the cracks of our persona and distorts and destroys brings temptation and corrupts. For him his struggle was with drugs but he also shared in stuff that he wrote that it could relate to lust, greed, jealousy etc.




For me the strongest beast within me has always been Mr Comfort Eater. He tells ferociously cruel lies in the most luring way and as the song states can be as deceptive as to “pretend to be a teddy bear”. Once the lie has been accepted and the trap sprung the beast released can be all consuming. This week he rattled his cage, I gave him some attention and old habits, thought patterns and behaviours returned.

He's low down scum as he picked a very tense week full of pressure, mistakes and illness. On reflection it’s easy to forget that whilst having 7 months of success I’m still and always will be a recovering over eater. Yes in strong recovery but that does not make me invincible. If I choose to listen to the beast at the moment he’s telling me that it’s over, I’ve failed and he’s won. My response to his lie I choose not to publish but a very famous photo of Johnny Cash comes to mind and those who are fans of him will know the one I mean.

Lesson re-learnt lets journey on…

Top tips learnt on the journey...

Tip 2 - Slowly eradicate the cause – "The Big Bad 4"

Ban the big bad 4 from your diet over a period of a month. The big bad 4 for me include crisps, chips, chocolate and ice cream. If these aren't a problem for you then change them to include what is. Ban 1 a week to all four have been removed from your diet.

*

The window test...

For the last two years I’ve been counselling for an agency based in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast. I park behind the Belfast Telegraph and walk past the building on the corner opposite which houses the Federation of Small Businesses. It’s a modern corner building with lots of glass frontage. For the last two years I’ve looked at myself in the windows as I walked past. I used to hate it as it was a stark reminder of what shape I’d become. The shock of it never seemed to go away and sometimes it only felt like it got worse. I used to literally cringe as I suffered from the painful experience. (I found out through counselling that what I often seen through my eyes was a lot bigger than reality)
*
Today however, was different I looked in the window and it brought a smile to my face. I looked a stout stocky character as opposed to a bulging fat bloke who cared little for himself, what he looked like or what he wore. To be honest the window test was one of the things I used to dread, it was painful and it used to cut like a knife.

It felt good to pass the test today.

My weight today...

18st 3.5lbs

3.25lbs lighter than last week - 47.5lbs lighter than August '08 (Just 2.5lbs away from losing 50lbs)

What a week!! I dropped a jean size to 38” and I’m now 3 sizes smaller than when I started. Along with that I realised I’m a stone lighter than I was at the tail end of my last campaign to lose weight. I feel that I’m now as it where caught up and in virgin territory. . I also won a competition on the Gyminee website which was a race to lose 20lbs - I'd recommend Gyminee to anyone, it's a great motivational tool that focuses you...

THE BIGGEST NEWS is that I realised that my BMI had dropped below 40. I started with a BMI of 44.52 and was classified as “Very Obese”. After 7 months I’ve dropped 6 points and I’m now 37.72 and classified as “Obese”. This both very exciting and rewarding news. Thanks folks for all your support. (A BMI Calculator can be found here)

*Happy Mothers Day Mum!! xx

Top tips learnt on the journey

Tip 1 - Variety is the key to beating boredom and time constraints

Work towards doing some exercise 5 days a week spacing out your rest days. Use as much variety as possible and whilst steadily increasing the amount and intensity don't feel the need to follow a pattern. I use swimming, walk different routes and venues, cycle indoor and out, use the gym, and weights. However others may prefer badminton, a spin class, an exercise DVD or water aerobics etc. I wake up see what mood I’m in and what time I’ve got and chose the form of exercise I fancy that fits.

Being released - top tips learnt on the journey...

I’m surprised to say this but a few people have asked me for weight loss tips. Now I feel a bit of a fraud giving tips as really my weight loss is a lot to do with circumstances and common sense. I am no expert in nutrition nor exercise and I have intentionally gone about things my way. This is because I believe that it provides ownership and from ownership will come knowedge, motivation and sustainability.

By circumstances I mean that I have a dodgy gall bladder that gives enormous amounts of pain should it find fat in my diet. This automatically influences what I eat and how much. I am also fortunate enough to have a lifestyle that allows me to exercise a lot.

However as a thank you for your loyal support I’ve decided to write a series called "Being released - top tips learnt on the journey" These should be published on a Wednesday with the first one tomorrow. Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
*

Jean size...

Yooo I've managed to drop another jean size and I'm now fitting 38" Jeans!!

*I started at size 44"

*I just noticed that I'm a full stone lighter now than I was at the end of my last attempt to be released...

My weight today...

18st 6.75lbs
2lbs lighter than last week - 44.25lbs lighter than August '08

*It was a hard fought loss of 2lbs both mentally and physically but I'm pleased to sneak in under 18 and a half stone!!!

*By popular demand there will be a new weekly series coming up called "Being released - top tips learnt on the journey" keep your eyes peeled.

*

*Cadence computer fitted to turbo trainer

My weight today...

18st 8.75lbs

1.75lbs lighter than last week - 42.25lbs lighter than August '08

*This takes me past the 3 stone mark and into the single figures of 18st (x)lbs

My weight today...

18st 10.5lbs
0.5lbs heavier than last week - 40.5lbs lighter than August '08

* No excuses - no explanation can be found - hey ho let's roll with the punches! ;-)

My measurements (Personal stats)

Neck = 17 Inches (Same as Jan ’09)
Upper arm = 14 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than Jan ’09)
Fore arm = 11.5 Inches (Same as Jan ’09)
Chest = 46.5 Inches (1 inch smaller than Jan ’09)
Stomach = 55 Inches (1.5 inches smaller than Jan ’09)
Waist = 45 Inches (Same as Jan ’09)
Thigh = 24 Inches (1 inch bigger than Jan ’09???)
Calf = 17 Inches (1 inch smaller than Jan ’09)



Generally speaking I'm pleased with the results, I'm surprised by a few but overall I think the stats speak for themselves - I'm on the right track!

"The Advisor"

Many of you have asked me this week who is "The Advisor"? In short he is my personal fitness guru but like "The Stig" on Top Gear he would like his identity to remain a secret. Some say that "The Advisor" is related to "The Stig" and that when he sprints the hairs on his body whiplash with the acceleration. Others say that he was born with a wash board for stomach which his mother uses to this day but to us he's known as "The Advisor”… (Said in my best Jeremy Clarkson voice)

Ps. My measurements are due tomorrow - should be interesting!

Reviewing my exercise regime...

For the last number of months I have majored on variety and convenience and it’s worked well. At the core has been

· Swimming – 32 lengths (Half a mile), focusing on gradual increased use of front crawl. 1 – 2 times a week
· Gym – 1 hour on various cardio machines maintaining 150bpm (80%) & light weights. 1 – 2 times a week
· Stationery bike (home) – 30/40 minutes maintaining 150bpm (80%)
· Walk – 30 minutes
· Cycling – 1 hour for 9 – 10 miles

There is no set pattern other than I train 5 times a week and Wednesday and Sundays are rest days. I aim for 1 – 2 sessions each of swimming and gym but it really depends on what my working week looks like. I think it’s a fair reflection to say that I’ve now been successful in getting to a reasonable level of fitness but I’m now wondering what the next level is.
*

For guidance on this I’m looking to my long term aims and these are as follows

1. I would like to have good muscle tone across my body
2. I would like to cycle 30 – 40 miles a time on roads
3. I would like to go cross country on my mountain bike. (Inc mountains)
4. I would like to be able to swim 30 lengths in 15 – 20 minutes
5. I would like to have a high level of stamina and strength throughout my body

I also know what I don’t want and this includes

* I don’t want to burn myself out
* I don’t want to loose focus on weight loss
* I don’t want muscle bulk unless it fits with a purpose
* I don’t want strength without stamina
* I don’t want to feel continually obliged to do one type of exercise (boredom)
* I don’t want to inflict injury

I’m naturally drawn to cycling and swimming but I also enjoy the gym in moderation and walking. I have little or no interest in running although as I get lighter in weight that may change.

*
So how do I get to achieve the magic 5 outlined above – I’ll get back to you shortly once I’ve developed the plan and taken advice. It’s perhaps time to reacquaint myself with “The Advisor”.
Talk to ya soon…

My weight today!!

18st 10lbs

2lbs lighter than last week - 41lbs lighter than August '08

* I can now officially say that I've lost over 40lbs and if I lose more than 1lb next week I've lost over 3 stone. We're fairly suckin diesel now as an old mechanic once said to me...

"This is why you're fat"

Came across this website (Click here for link) and I must say it helped reduce my appetite fourfold! It been a hungry week so to speak and it’s been a struggle to stay on track. One thing that I’ve learnt from my time in counselling is that I’m a comfort eater and as a result I can track my hunger to some form of anxiety. This then means that once I’m aware of it I can address it through positive self talk. However if I want to ditch all this psycho babble for a while I’ll resort to looking at this site. See ya Sunday for a weigh in!!!
8

Bacon Cheese Pizza Burger
Giant burger between two large meat pizzas, eggs, bacon, colby and pepper jack cheese.

My weight today...

18st 12lbs
0.5lbs heavier than last week - 39lbs lighter than August '08

*Cycled 30 miles (outdoors) this week and so suspect the weight increase may reflect muscle gain as my diet was the same as usual. Cycling outdoors is such a different experience than indoors - and no, I'm not just talking about the scenery. It demands so much more from you and thankfully is so much more rewarding.

A peculiar thing...

Losing weight is a peculiar thing. Last week and totally out of the blue I lost 4.5lbs!! This was after a few weeks of weight loss at pound or so a week and even seen a week were I lost nothing at all. What did I do differently – I wish I knew. I exercised less, ate what I thought was a little more than usual yet lost 2 – 3 times more. A big drop is one of the most pleasant and motivating surprises you can have on a journey like this. It makes you feel like you can conquer the world and if I knew how to repeat it I would.

The other side of the coin however is that it makes you impatient. I want another week like that and I want it now. Yes, I’ve just moved from the 19 stone bracket into the 18 stone one but how cool would it be to get to 16. This is dangerous thinking and when I start to engage with it I start to see the importance of slow and steady weight loss which doesn’t place unbearable pressure and unrealistic expectations upon you.

So this week I’ve been enjoying last week’s victory and aiming for another pound off this week – anything more is a bonus!

*

(The maiden voyage for Peter & the Giant.)

My weight today...

18st 11.5lbs
4.5lbs lighter than last week - 39.5lbs lighter than August '08

*As a reward for breaking into the 18st category Jane bought me a new mountain bike :- D I'm so excited I'm like a little kid... I can't wait for the snow and ice to clear to I get out on it!
*Next week will hopefully see me into the I've lost over 40lbs category!
*I'm only 2.5lbs away from having lost 3 stone
*I've now started to focus on how I keep the weight off once I've lost it. (Something tells me that may be the hardest part) Should I get to 16st a new road racing bike may also be purchased.
*

My weight today...

19st 2lbs
1lb lighter than last week - 35lbs lighter than August '08

*Whilst I'm delighted to be making slow and steady progress, getting to 19st or below seems to be very illusive...

My weight today...

19st 3lbs
Same as last week - 34lbs lighter than August '08

*This is what I get for advising others on such issues as plateau-ing.
*This is also what I get for taking the advice of some books and websites that stated that I should be eating more calories.
*This could also be muscle development as I notched my training regime up a gear and high levels of stiffness and fatigue may point to such development.
*I've also had a really hungry week and this made it a difficult week, not sure what its about but I'm uping my water intake in response to it

My weight today...

19st 3lbs
2lbs lighter than last week - 34lbs lighter than August '08

My weight today...

19st 5lbs
6.25lbs lighter than last week - 32lbs lighter than August '08

*I may hate the nervous tension of exams but it certainly seems to have helped on the weight loss front!

Gyminee

I joined Gyminee this week after noting that two of my friends are regular users. It's a website that records your exercise, calorie intake, weight loss etc. It's easy to use and whilst I'm still in the "I'll use it for a few days and see how I go" phase I'd recommend you take a look.

It's been a challenging week with my final exam, a punishing gall-bladder, and sore joints. I've still managed to train 3 times and so I look forward to my weigh in tomorrow. I'll look apon any weight loss as my revenge against those parts of the week that were hurdles and made life difficult.

I also took great encouragement from discovering two other bloggers who are on the same journey - Ashley Jackson and her mum. I wish them all the best and look forward to reading of their progress! (Links to their blogs on the right)

My weight today...

19st 11.25lbs
2.5lbs heavier than last week - 25.75lbs lighter than August '08

**The victim of too much junk sitting about the house and to make matters worse my gall-bladder has taken offense and is giving me strife!

Goals & rewards...

10 goals for the next year of the journey…
1. Get the confidence and fitness to take a spin class
2. Beat my record of losing weight for 12 consecutive weeks in a row
3. Walk up Slieve Croob without my heart passing 160 beats per minute
4. Get fit enough to cycle 30 miles (outdoors) a week
5. Lose 4 stone to weigh 16 stone over the next 12 months
6. Treat my body with more respect and find a physio for longstanding injuries
7. Improve my fitness to swim two miles a week – a mile a session
8. Maintain a permanent ban on chips, crisps, chocolate and ice cream (The big bad 4)
9. Link my faith to the journey more
10. Listen more to the positive voice within myself
*

Rewards along the way...
1. For a year of successful dieting and exercise I’ll consider purchasing gym membership (August ’09)
2. At 18 stone replace major parts of my wardrobe
3. At 16 stone I will fulfil my dream of going scuba diving

My measurements (Personal stats)

Neck = 17 Inches (Same as April '07, an inch smaller than Oct '06)
Upper Arm = 14.5 Inches (Same as April '07, 1 inch smaller than Oct '06)
Fore Arm = 11.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than April '07, 0.5 inches smaller than Oct '06)
Chest = 47.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than April '07, 5.5 inches smaller than Oct '06)
Stomach = 56.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than April '07, 2.5 inches smaller than Oct '06)
Waist = 45 Inches (Same as April '07, 5 inches smaller than Oct '06)
Thigh = 23 Inches (5 inches smaller than April '07, 6 inches smaller than Oct '06)
Calf = 18 Inches (1 inch bigger than April '07, 1 inch smaller than Oct '06)

The last time I did this was over 18 months ago (April ’06) shortly before I put all the weight back on that I had fought do hard to lose. If I’m honest I was very reluctant to do this over the past few months as I felt physically enormous and wanted to protect the motivation and momentum I had gathered. However, it’s the New Year, the first milestone has been reached and I’m now looking to utilise all the signs of progress along the way that I can find.

The first time I did it (October ’06) I was at the very start of this journey and my stats reflected a body that had been let go for many years. I was at the height of my obesity and my fitness was at its lowest. So it was with a weird mix of trepidation and anticipation that I recorded my current stats and compared them to April ’07 and October ’06.
*

What can I say I’m delighted!! The only limb that has increased in size is my calf and given the fact that I’ve been majoring on indoor cycling of late it’s to be expected. Without exception everything else is either the same or smaller. In fact 50% of limbs measured have seen a decrease. This is strange in a way given the fact that I’m now the same weight as I was in April ’07.

Perhaps the answer can be found in the training I have been doing. In April 07 I was focusing on cycling and walking. Whereas this time I’m swimming at least once a week, visiting the gym at least once a week (for the cross trainer) and training in my garage once or twice a week (indoor cycling). The reduction in my thigh of a full 5 inches is colossal. I think it’s fair to put that down to swimming and cross training. In fact I think I can safely say that this has been a massive endorsement of my training regime. I’ve found a routine that’s working and I’m going to stick with it and continue to make realistic goals to aim for.

My encouragement is for those on the same journey to do the same and find a format of exercise that works for them. We are all individuals and what interests you might not me. I was careful not to train too vigorously as I’ve done that before and burnt out very quickly. The answer is to be found in small progressive steps.

Happy new year!!

Grapefruit & prunes...

My Papa Best was what you might call a rounded man. He was small in height, bald, had high blood pressure and carried some weight. (Nowhere near what I do – he would have weighed 15 stone max). He loved his food and his sport and had a big heart for those around him in need.

I’ve often wondered how he lasted into his eighties given his weight and why it was cancer that killed him and not a heart problem. To my regret whilst loving the man I didn’t get to spend too much time with him but what I do remember is his love for grapefruit and prunes. He would have had a grapefruit every morning for his breakfast and fairly regularly would have had prunes for dessert.
*

I was listening to the Chris Evans show on Radio 2 in November and heard that prunes are arguably the one of the healthiest of fruits. As I understand it of all fruits they have the highest level of antioxidants which helps prevent cancer. Amongst their many other benefits they also ensure that your digestive system and bowels are working efficiently. As a result since November I’ve been taking both prune juice and prunes themselves and have benefitted.
*
Grapefruit is a different matter. My Papa would have eaten it like you would an orange but it’s too bitter for me to do that. My alternative is to blend it with some water and drink it and I’ve been doing this 2 – 3 times a week. Grapefruit have many health benefits but what I’m mostly interested in is how they absorb fat in the system and remove it. They also provide high levels of fibre, help with gall stone complaints, help prevent cancers and reduce cholesterol. For my money both prunes and grapefruit are winners and may help explain my Papa’s lengthy and relatively healthy life! Click on the links for further info.
*

Papa (George) Best

As a side note my Papa didn’t always get it right. As some of you may know he was one of the main men behind Linfield FC for 50 years and what makes me laugh is that he had a tab in a local chippy and would tell the players to call in and get their tea after the match – how times have changed. He also used to think that since cream sponge cakes were so light (in weight) they couldn’t do you much harm in terms of putting weight on. It’s funny when you think of it as he was an active footballer and cyclist in the first half of his life and an international bowls player and football man in management in his later half.

My weight today...

19st 8.75lbs
1.75lbs heavier than last week - 28.25lbs lighter than August '08

* Come on now Christmas week - what do you want! ;-)

My weight today...

19st 7lbs
1.5lbs lighter than last week - 30lbs lighter than August '08
*


* I've reached my target of being below 20st for Christmas and losing 2st in 6 months.
* * I've entered into the "I've lost 30lbs! bracket.
* * * I'm the lightest I've ever been since starting this web site.
* * * * My new target is being below 18st for 1st July '09 (2st every 6 months)

My weight today...

19st 8.5lbs
3.5lbs lighter than last week - 28.5lbs lighter than August '08
*

*A week of fireworks because I have officially lost 2 stone. (I have the flu this week so it may go back on as quickly as I lost it)

**1lb more to go and I'll equal my all time lightest on this mission so far.

My weight today

19st 12lbs
2.5lbs lighter than last week - 25lbs lighter than August '08

Be careful who you take advice from...

Today I went to see a consultant about my gall-stones. As could be easily predicted the issue of my weight came up early into the appointment. He underlined the fact that over weight males in their thirties are the hardest to operate on as the gall balder is difficult to get to as a result of where their fat stores lie. This then lengthens the operation time, may mean damage to other organs, and may put additional strain on the heart. A fair enough comment I thought and another motivating factor to continue on with my journey. That is until he suggested that I should ideally have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 18 before surgery took place. He was unhappy with my target of 16 stone and suggested that it should be more.
*

Now granted it is a sensitive issue for me but it felt like he had taken the last six months progress and ripped it up. It felt like he was some primary school teacher saying “Not good enough – must try harder”. I must admit I took it hard and went home a defeated man. Then a wee voice told me to do some research into BMI as having read a little about it in the past his advice wasn’t making sense to me. My research revealed that first of all that I had a BMI of 41. It also revealed that the BMI isn’t an accurate tool and doesn’t take into account people with a muscular or larger frame nor an athletic one. But the jewel in the crown was revealed when I realised that to have a BMI of 18 I would have to weigh in at 9 stone nearly 11 stone lighter than I currently am. My dad is slightly built and he weighs in at 10½ stone. What would I have to do and what would I look like to get to 9?

So the conclusion is to not go with my initial thoughts of lowering my daily calorie intake to 800 and train twice a day. Instead I’m going to continue to do what I’m doing building my fitness as I have been with the goal of joining a cycling club. If I start to cycle decent miles three to four times a week I believe the weight problem should look after itself. The main thing being that I will be enjoying myself. So folks my suggestion is that because a person has many letters after their name and is paid a fortune may make their advice accurate but might not make it helpful.

*Should you be keen to figure out your BMI here is a good website to do so with. BBC Body Mass Index calculator.

My weight today

20st 0.5lbs
1.5lbs heavier than last week - 22.5lbs lighter than August '08

** Just back from a weekend break in Dublin so this result was to be expected and wasn't as bad as I expected.

My weight today...

19st 13lbs
1.5lbs lighter than last week - 24lbs lighter than August '08

***************************************************************************************************

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

****************************************************************************************************************

*Under 20st for the first time since May 2007
** First target of being under 20st for Christmas 08 close to being achieved. (ie I now need to keep below 20st for Christmas)

My weight today...

20st 0.5lbs
0.75lbs lighter than last week - 22.5lbs lighter than August '08

** That’s 10 consecutive weeks in a row I’ve lost weight!!

My weight today...

20st 1.25lbs
2lbs lighter than last week - 21.75lbs lighter than August '08

*

*Fireworks because I've moved into the "I've lost over 20lbs" bracket!!

Creativity & Variety...

I was looking down through this blog when it struck me how creative I’ve been at times. Creativity to exercise and diet brings variety and variety helps ward off boredom. This week I joined Dromore Community/Leisure Centre which was offering family membership for £25!!! No not £25 a month but indeed for a year. A deal not to missed as it means that I can gain access to their gym for £3 instead of £5 with discounts like that applying to every gym in the council area. Yesterday I went to the gym for the first time and spent 30 minutes on the cross trainer and 30 minutes on the bike. I also did a few weights and 3 sets of sit ups. It was good to train somewhere new!
*
I also read a wee article recently in a sports magazine which suggested having 6 meals a day at 300 calories each. The idea being that you have 3 meals at the usual times and a snack in between each. The purpose and theory being that it keeps your metabolic rate going and stops your body from thinking that its starving. I’m not getting too ridged about it but I have reduced the size of my portions, continued to reduce unhealthy and fatty foods and have increased the frequency of my meals. We shall see over the next month if it has an influence.
*

Scales...

Yesterday I went to an appointment I had made with the nurse in our doctor’s practice for blood tests etc. Nothing serious but given the pain I have recently experienced they want to keep an eye on me. As you would expect she wanted to know what weight I was and asked me to step on the scales. I proudly announced I was around 20st 3lbs but when I stood on the scales she told me I was 125kgs. I thought nothing off it to a checked my wee conversion table later and realised that on her scales I weighed in as 19st 7lbs (and that was when I was fully dressed and with a meal in me). So what weight am I – who knows? The upshot is that it’s better than I was in the summer and my target for being below 20st for Christmas is within reach any day now. Happy days!!!

*

My weight today...

20st 3.25lbs
0.75lbs lighter than last week - 19.75lbs lighter than August '08

Jean size...

Yooo I've managed to drop a jean size and I'm now fitting 40" Jeans


*I started at size 44"

It's been another good week for exercise...

This week I have continued to push hard on the exercise front. Monday I took a day off as I was shattered and feeling the pace. Tuesday I returned to the windows having had three weeks off. I did ok but by 4pm my arms were hanging out of me and my back was painful. I was concerned at the time but a few hours later I was feeling grand and able to do a set of weights with Jamie and Wilson. Wednesday saw me hill walking with Wilson as discussed in the previous item. Thursday I spent an hour on my exercise bike, this the longest session yet by 20 minutes and in the evening I again did some weights with Jamie. Friday saw me swim 32 lengths (half a mile). Today I’m unsure what I’ll do, maybe a day of rest is called for.
*

Diet wise things have been good but I get the sense that whilst my body is changing shape and clothes seem to be fitting better this week may see my weight loss tail off and plateau. This happens every now and then and is to be expected however it can have an influence on motivation levels. The key is to stay focused on my goal of being below 20 stone for Christmas.

It's paying off...

On Wednesday my mate Wilson and I set off up the trail at Bloody Bridge and it had a great time. We set a mid pace but even at that I was surprised how easy I scaled it without really being out of breath. Six months ago this would have really killed me. We got to the top of the trail and the weather started to change for the worse and so we came back down. We got some great pictures of the river as we descended and took in God’s creation. After that we went for a second walk along the old railway trail across Dundrum bay. All in all we spent two to two and a half hours walking and had a ball. We stopped for lunch in the sandwich deli Hanlon’s in Downpatrick – highly recommended and beats the likes of Subway hands down.

A great morning was had by all.
*

Me at the top of the trail.

My weight today...

20st 4lbs
1lb lighter than last week - 19lbs lighter than August '08

Fear & exercise...

I’m delighted to say that somewhere in the middle of last weekend my pain went and I’ve been feeling normal. I returned to counselling on Monday, went to tech on Tuesday night and hit exercise harder than I have done before within this current campaign. Rightly or wrongly I’ve got nervous of doing weights and so this week I’ve focused on the cardiovascular stuff. In total I’ve had two swims totalling 65 lengths (1 mile), I’ve hit the bike 3 times for a total of 1 hour 20 minutes and I’ve had two walks each for 30 minutes or so.
*

I’m mindful of a sense of anger within me towards illness and a fear that it may come back. As a result there is a desperation to lose weight and quickly for fear of what may happen if I don’t. This takes me to a dangerous place of impatience and I really do need to watch that I don’t over do it and sicken myself. I also need to remember that life requires a lot of energy before I add exercise and so I need not exhaust myself or other areas of my life will suffer.

All of that said the positive news is that I’ve enjoyed every minute and I’m keen to continue. I plan to return to cleaning windows this Tuesday and that too will help. I have my eye on my target of being below 20 stone for Christmas and that’s were I’m heading.

My weight today

20st 5lbs
3.5lbs lighter than last week - 18lbs lighter than August '08

A confession of sorts... (Part One)

Over the last two weeks I’ve continued to be ill. In one of my last posts "Strange but in keeping" I talked about a weird and painful evening I had two weeks ago. The news is that since that point I’ve had 3 blood tests taken, been on a course of 3 differing anti-biotics at once, had an ECG (heart test) and a couple of visits to casualty in between.

The fact is that no-one knows exactly what is wrong yet but the suggestion is that I have either gall-stones or an ulcer(s) or both. Trust me reader you don’t want either of these conditions as the pain and discomfort I’ve been through has been considerable.
*

Imagine that you have been run through by a large sword and the sword has not been removed. Imagine your gut is being ripped out through your feet every time you take a step or two. Complement this with the sensation of your lung ripping in two every time you take a deep breath, hiccup, or sneeze and that about describes it. Funny as it was to observe, the pain was so severe that my body stopped itself from sneezing at mid point. In summary it’s not to be recommended.

As a result of all of this I have followed advice and radically reduced the fat content in my diet. When you blend this along side throwing up and having the trots, weight loss did not take a lot of effort. So if you have lost two pound over the last two weeks and are jealous of my six don’t be I’d rather be in your shoes.

Read "A Confession of sorts…" (Part 2) on petemartin.org

My weight today

20st 8.5lbs
3lbs lighter than last week - 14.5lbs lighter than August '08

My weight today

20st 11.5lbs
2.5lbs lighter than last week - 11.5lbs lighter than August '08

Strange but within keeping...

Friday night (two days ago) came and as always it was hectic with the activity of taxiing kids to clubs etc. It had been a day were I had been very tired (problem one) were I had let my mind be consumed with fears (problem two) and were I had let myself eat a lot of old junk (problem three). So with time being off the essence and with the guilt tripping me from eating junk I rushed out to the garage and squeezed in a set of weights. I then rushed into doing the youth club run and after had a very late junk orientated tea (problem four).


3am Saturday morning came and I woke up to a severe pain at the bottom of my rib cage. 4am came and I couldn’t take it any longer so I took some pain killers which didn’t help. 5am came and I started to vomit for king and country (Nice detail dad ;-) I put it in just for you)

All day Saturday (yesterday) I felt very sore and was on the brink of taking myself to casualty on more than one occasion. That said I took myself to casualty this time 11 months ago and ended up spending a week in hospital with meningitis.

What’s wrong with me? Is it an ulcer? Could it be a pulled chest muscle? Or even a hernia? Or dread I even think about it something worse… Who knows but I’ll be ringing my doc tomorrow to make an appointment as if I’m honest this is perhaps the third time this has happened in 18 months. So as with my last campaign to lose weight my body reacts with a weird injury or strange illness. Strange but within keeping…

I once had an old lecturer who had been over weight all his life. Under pressure from his doctor he started to lose weight and with that came a sizable stroke. His humorous reflection was that it may have been better to stay fat – sometimes I know how he felt.

Pushing for 50!!

This morning a chance to get back into the pool presented itself and so along with my pal Jamie we headed of to Banbridge Leisure Centre. You know how it is, a cold autumn morning with the spirit being willing but the flesh weak. There was a reluctance towards exercise so as we went through reception we bought tickets for the sauna and steam room too. As we hit the pool there was even some defeatist talk of only doing 10 lengths and I was pulling out the excuse of a sore leg that has been giving me gip lately. However as we completed 10 I could see Jamie was keen to carry on and so I went with it. We rolled up to twenty and I could feel my mood change and my mind slip into the zone. Thirty hit and whilst I was starting to need the loo bad we pushed onto forty. Jamie was starting to look concerned as he wondered would ever stop. Forty five hit and I couldn’t hold it back any longer so I exited for the toilets. As I walked up the side of the pool to the changing room I knew and could feel that I hadn’t much left in the tank. However the severe temperature drop in the toilets encouraged me to get back into the water quick and we victoriously completed the big 5-0 fifty. I have to say at this point that there is an awful lot to say for training with someone. Jamie has been a great help of late.


If memory serves me correctly I haven’t done that since my early twenties and it was with a great sense of achievement that I sat in the sauna and savoured the moment.

A good morning’s exercise and a moment to be proud of – well it is with my level of fitness.

My weight today...

21st 0lbs
1.75lbs lighter than last week - 9lbs lighter than August '08

My weight today...

21st 1.75lbs
0.75lbs heavier than last week - 7.25lbs lighter than August '08
**Bit of a wild week full of emotion, stress, comfort eating and exercise - it could be muscle or fat gain**

My weight today...

21st 1lb
1.5lb lighter than last week - 8lbs lighter than August '08

My weight today...

21st 2.5lbs
1.5lb lighter than last week - 6.5lbs lighter than August '08

My weight today...

21st 4lb
5lb lighter than last month

*Not bad when all considered!

Exercise & today...

A long time ago in the early 90’s there was an advert that Nike used. It followed two fella’s throughout a day. One went for a run and the other thought it. I can’t remember exactly how it finished but I think it showed how the day ended for both of them with one saying “today I ran” and the other saying nothing. Of course the advert then finished with the famous slogan “Just do it!”

This advert and the wisdom within it has always stayed with me. I used to use it whilst taking seminars on admin for newbie youth workers. The lesson being to “Just do it” before it gets on top of you. However the exercise slant is now very relevant to the season I’m in. It’s especially helpful when I’m struggling for motivation. Do I want to finish the day with regret that I didn’t exercise or with pride that I did?

Last night I went to bed deciding to give my press ups a miss, today I regret that as it means that my goal of being able to do 25 – 50 is now a day further away.

Just do it!

Ps. Its not the advert I was talking about but it's good all the same!

It's back to my gym I go...

Over the last year my garage has become a dumping ground for allsorts of stuff and as a result my wee mini gym was lost under the junk. Last week Jane grew tired of me banging on about how we needed to sort it and along with Wilson cleared it out. For this I am very thankful as my gym is not only visible but now fully operational. So much so that yesterday I used it for the first time since May 2007 when I over did it and burst my boiler as I called it at the time!!!

I went easy on it with 20 minutes on my bike and some light weights but it wasn’t long before that voice urging me on was heard. Thankfully I ignored it as if it hadn’t I would have started were I left of over a year ago and today I would have been written off!

*

I cant wait to get back into the rhythm of using this stuff – its great to be back!

Time for action complemented with a big dose of patience

This summer to be fair has so far seen a brave bit of exercise. There has been the cycling in June and early July and lots of walks in Donegal during mid to late July. Early August has seen the reintroduction of swimming to my life and along with the odd forest walk as discussed yesterday. Of course all of this has been complemented with cleaning lots of windows for a living which is a great upper body work out.

I’ve enjoyed all of the above but as usual I can feel a monster inside myself wanting to push harder. I want the body of an athlete now and total fitness yesterday. For some reason I’m ignoring the fact that I am failing to give my body time to adapt and grow fitter. This then results in a boom and bust experience which will last a max of 2 – 3 months and will leave quite a negative scar that will take months to recover from.
*

I’ve only swam 3 times so far and my fitness levels are such that a length of front crawl is a major piece of cardiovascular exercise. Here is an example of how I’ve been pushing and pushing too hard. The first time I went out I did 25 lengths of breast stroke and I was shattered for the next two days. Then a week later I changed the regime to every 1 in 5 being front crawl and then yesterday I changed it to one in 3. I can already here a voice challenging and pushing me to aim for 50 lengths! Yet I know whilst I could do it now I’d be shattered for 3 – 4 days an experience I can’t afford and which risks putting me off returning to swim again.

This time I want to not only exercise my body but exercise my maturity. I want my fitness development to be sustained and gradual and for that I need patience and self discipline.

One step and one day at a time big lad – lets have no acts of self sabotage – slow down and enjoy!

Drumkeeragh Forest and new targets...

As I walked and prayed round a local forest yesterday the thought came to me that if 18 months ago someone had offered me the chance to loose 2 stone every 6 months I’d now be 16 stone. Would I have taken it? You’re too right – I’d have settled for that quicker than a quick thing. So why not settle for it now? 2 stone for Christmas would take me to 20 stone, a further two stone this time next year would take me to 18 stone and a further 2 stone before Chrismas ’09 would take me to 16 stone.

So that’s it deal done – that’s the target set.
*

Nuturing my internal being...

I have known for a long time that I can take many things seriously except for myself. In work I have been known to be strategic, forward thinking, motivated, practical and driven. Within most external areas of my life I’m an activist and a pragmatist, I have a positive outlook and can achieve most things I set my mind to.

Then when it comes to me I am the least of my supporters, my biggest doubter and my loudest mocker. I’ve hurt myself internally so many times that I’ve stopped noticing when I do it. As a result my emotional wellbeing is often in a poor state of affairs and my emotional intelligence struggles to be heard. I often wobble inside like a jelly and then use food to bring stability and comfort. If not for that then I use food to ram back down the emotional turmoil that is bubbling over inside me.
*

Again like with my racing head in the previous post this emotional and internal sabotage needs to stop. I need to stop being the perfectionist taskmaster within myself and towards myself.

When I experience error or failure in whatever sphere of life I want it to be just that and not as the result of a self fulfilling prophecy. I need to take my inner being seriously, appreciate its value and nurture it.

Gaining control...

Recently I have developed a growing awareness of the way I think. My father in law would talk about a "racing head" and how it can go from 0 – 60 or from all or nothing in milliseconds.

Over the last month through my devotional times and conversations with others God has revealed to me that I experience this phenomenon and that it controls a surprising amount of my psyche. To put it in the context of my weight I’ve often in the past lost motivation on a whim and been at a loss to understand why.

In my minds eye I think of the past and "if only". "If only" I had continued with that diet a number of years ago where I lost 4 stone, "if only" I had of continued with my exercise regime from 18 months ago – "if only". Before I know it I’m wallowing in a pool of self pity and I’m thinking what’s the point I will only fail like I’ve done so many times before. Alternatively I turn my mind to the future and think I’ve ten stone to lose and how it will take 18 months to 2 years to shed. Before I know it I’m back in that pool to wallow some more. Either way before I know it motivation has melted like snow on a ditch and I’m reaching for food to comfort me and suppress the avalanche of emotion that normally comes with it.
*

So from now on I am preventing myself from considering the past in any depth and the same with the future. It’s today that counts and today only. Did I exercise today? Did I eat well? These questions I can control and address rather than other questions that can control me.

My weight today...

21st 9lb (303lbs)
4.5lb heavier since last month

*Nothing to panic about as I'm just back from my hols

The moment of truth...

Things have been going well and I have appreciated people’s comments and encouragement. For the past 2-3 weeks I have been in control of my eating with the exception of a 24 hour period spent in Donegal. On the exercise front I’ve been spending some time on my bike which has been complemented with the workout provided by my new part time job in cleaning windows.

I’ve decided to take a wee tip from my sister Beverley and weigh myself every month as opposed to every week. I’ve found every week in the past to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster and perhaps even encouraged a lack of patience with the whole process. So from now on it’s a weigh in on the first of the month. I may also consider doing my measurements again as I did in the last campaign – we will see. So without further to-do here are the results.
*

My weight - today...

21st 4.5lb
5lb loss since I last weighed myself 3-4 weeks ago

Why does it take so long?

Found this wee thought very helpful and encouraging.... (Click on link)

Operation "No Compromise"

So what will this new start look like? Recently I got fed up messing about. I got very frustrated and disillusioned trying these self devised dieting schemes most of which were based on deceiving myself that I was doing something. So maybe dangerous and maybe risking failure but Operation “No compromise” was implemented and so far we are in day 6. It’s very simple – eat nothing that can be deemed unhealthy, don’t eat out and don’t eat between meals. When the withdrawal symptoms kick in (as they have believe me) start to pray or repeat a faith based mantra like “Come Lord Jesus Come”. So far it’s worked and I’m pleased with my progress.
8

A rethink, new look and new start!

To be honest I thought that this project was dead in the water for many reasons (some of which can be found in the comments I made under the last post however) I recently have had a rethink.

“Counselling has taken me to a place were I need to consider if the evidence is pointing towards an eating disorder. If I'm honest this scares the heck out of me and I'm not sure just how public I want to be about it. Maybe it’s just a big dose of courage that I need as these days it seems to be in short supply...”
*


The above quote comes from a comment I wrote in April on this blog. It still pretty much sums up how I still feel however a big dose of courage has arrived and I’m ready to record the next part of the journey. I believe that the evidence does point to me having an eating disorder having read more widely into it. This brings an avalanche of feelings and fears but if I want to experience life to the full and I do I need to act and act now.

Lets journey on.

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Due to lack of interest... :-(

My weight (Monday past)

21st 7lb (Same weight as I was at the start of the project – Nov ’06) OHHH dear...

My name is Peter and I am a ...

This week I have been reading some of the book below. It was recommended to me by my counsellor. The title sounds very dramatic and I’m unsure of the use of the word addict but as I’ve read through it a lot of it rings true with my experience.

I’m not sure I buy into all that they suggest however I have experimented with some of their ideas and found them to be helpful. They suggest that two of your daily meals should be carbohydrate free and the third should have average carb content.

Inspired I managed to do just this on a number of days this week and found that my cravings for food were dramatically reduced. Interestingly I also found that when I didn’t manage my carb intake my food carvings and intake went through the roof. I am pleasantly surprised by my findings and it has spurred me on to read more.

I also exercised once this week. I do however doubt that I have lost weight this week as there were a number of slips.

My weight (Monday past)

21st 0.5lb (6.5lb lighter from the start of the project – Nov ’06)

2007 was the year that...

...I started the first six months well and then blew up…

...I learnt that to pace myself on the exercise front (Some is better than none)

...I learnt that my weight problem is not just linked to the balance sheet of what I eat verses what I burn off; there is other psychological and physiological factors.

...I discovered impatience is one of the biggest enemies of weight loss.

...I realised that weight loss and exercise need organization and intention.

...In the process of exercising regularly I moved from disliking exercise, to seeing it as a necessary evil, to enjoying it, to regularly challenging myself with it.

...I started to develop sporting ambitions like joining a cycling club someday, running 5 kilometres, and hill walking.

...I noticed my self esteem is building as I started to fit my clothes better.

...I noticed that when regularly exercising me no longer suffered from a sickening tiredness I had often been victim of.

...My irritable bowel syndrome was nowhere near what it was and my acid indigestion had all but disappeared.

...My blood pressure remained at a continually healthy level with regular exercise.Obesity started to fascinate me especially the psychology behind it and its physical impact.

...Setting targets came with mixed blessings.

...I started counselling for my weight.

...I learnt that I have a problem with anxiety and so use food as a comfort.

...I suspected I have developed a dependence on the adrenalin and sugar rush I get with over eating.

Journeying on...

It’s hard to know what exactly to say in order to kick start this blog off again. I suppose first things first I’ve rediscovered my motivation. If I’m honest I’m more motivated to understand myself more fully and to live a healthier lifestyle than I am in just losing weight. I think but that losing weight will come as I journey further and I look forward to realizing the full package.

My personal counselling (mentioned in an earlier post two or three down) took a lot longer to start than I thought. This was due to my counselor being ill and then I fell ill with meningitis, next week will see my third session.

To cut a long story short I’m back on the path towards my goal of being released from the control food has over me… Your welcome to join me on the journey should you still fancy it!

Our Greatest Fear - Marianne Williamson

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

The tide...

I’ve always been open when I've blogged, especially with this blog. I’ve often stated publicly that my self esteem ebbs and flows like the tide. Recently with my weight I’ve been a defeated man and I’m hurting. I plan to start counselling soon on this issue. This is for two reasons. Firstly because I believe my weight “problem” is influenced heavily from some deeply engrained behavioural and thought patterns. These patterns have been nurtured and embraced for many years. Secondly for those who don’t know I’m in my final year of a Dip. H.E. in Counselling and my course requires me to complete 20 hours of personal counselling. So it’s two birds with one stone as it happens. I can’t promise I’ll speak too much about it which, if I’m honest surprises me as I’ve never been shy before but there ya go… In the meantime thanks for your encouragement. I do tend to blog more frequently once this season passes. Who knows, that could be tomorrow when the tide comes back in.

Update & start date...

Ok so it all went a bit Pete Tong over the summer and I’m back to weighing in at over 20st. Not my proudest moment for sure but this Monday coming will see my return.

Ps Thanks Michelle for your comments I couldn’t remove the private part from it so I had to delete them…

FAO: Michelle

Whilst I haven’t a notion who you are and I doubt if we’ve met I’d like to say thanks for all your encouragement I am very thankful for it and your comments often hit the spot with pin point accuracy. Come on; join us in the land of blog I’d love to read more about you, your journey and thoughts.

Flamin NORA!!!

It's two months since I dieted… Two flaming months!!! Clothes that I had managed to get into are now tight again, my joint pain is back and my fatigue is through the roof. There isn’t much of a bright side to the current state of play I must admit but there is an acknowledgement that I am a far happier person when I’m exercising and in control of my diet. This observation is an important one, and whilst I leave for my holidays tomorrow I will be getting back on the trail shortly.

Freefalling...

“Moving on” was the title of the last post but if I’m honest its been more like freefalling. I just can’t seem to get motivated, catch a grip and stop the rot… I’m struggling and my weight is now climbing not falling.

Moving on...

This week has seen my return to the gym. My eating is still up the left but for the first time since in 6 weeks I’ve exercised. I’m disappointed with myself because if I’m honest one of the biggest things that got in my way (yet again) was impatience. I grew frustrated with losing 1-2lbs a week and I pushed too hard on the exercise front. I burst my boiler (see the post a few below) and burnt out. This was a silly mistake. Ironically I’m now frustrated with the fact that I’m a further 6 weeks away from hitting my target and I’m over half a stone heavier. Yet I recognise that I need to stop beating myself up and get my feet on level ground again.

Ironically my course (Dip HE in Counselling) now demands that we all get 20 hours of personal therapy. No doubt I’ll bring these issues to the table.

I've also stopped thinking about time lined targets, lets stick with 1-2lbs a week.

Being Organised...

Exams, essays due and birthdays have seen all but everything grind to a halt. It's been a big learning curve especially around the area of time management. The lesson being that if I want to maintain my exercise regime my life must be more organised and I must employ more strategic thinking and foresight. Life is still very busy but I need to recognise that if I want to get back on the wagon there must be a starting point. So yesterday I jumped back on. I'm just waiting for my mind to follow!!

My weight yesterday (Be prepared for a shock)

20st (6.5lbs heavier than last time, 21lbs lost in total)

Demons...

During the bank holiday weekend an old demon popped its head up and said hello. For now we will call it greed. A friend of mine who has recent started the journey towards recovering from alcoholism once described themselves by saying that they were a greedy drinker. Every bottle needed to be finished and every opportunity needed to be taken without compromise nor distraction. Perhaps an obvious observation for an alcoholic to make but it struck me at the time and never left me. I too am greedy but with food, yes it’s more socially acceptable than my friends plight but I think that that sometimes works against me.


I'm ashamed of it but there are times when my eating is out of control as the desire for the comfort food brings cracks its whip apon me. Even whilst eating I’m thinking about increasing the quantity of what I'm munching on and when where and what the next opportunity will be to eat. Thankfully this has decreased recently but my experience over the weekend rang alarm bells and told me that this particular demon had not gone away.

It’s very easy to get caught up into the exercise regime and the challenge to lose pounds, its fun and it ain't that personal. The truth is but the greater challenge lies in changing your mind set and that is something I am not paying enough attention to. If I don't want to return to being 22 stone having lost all the weight I'm going to have to!

Things I've noticed...

1. Somewhere in the process I have moved from disliking exercise, to seeing it as a necessary evil, to enjoying it, to regularly challenging myself with it.

2. I have started to develop sporting ambitions like joining a cycling club someday, running 5 kilometres, and hill walking.

3. My self esteem is building as I start to fit my clothes better.

4. I no longer suffer from that sickening tiredness as often.

5. My irritable bowel syndrome is nowhere near what it used to be and my acid indigestion has all but disappeared.

6. My blood pressure has remained at a continually healthy level since New Year.

7. Obesity is starting to fascinate me especially the psychology behind it and its physical impact.

I burst my boiler...

After that little workout described in my last blog I burst my boiler… Tuesday I was shattered beyond repair and Wednesday I wasn’t much better. So I didn’t exercise and quickly after the bank holiday weekend creep in and my food intake went through the roof. All said and done it was a full week of the wagon!

I weighed myself on Monday and would you belief the scales told me that I had put just short of 8lbs on…

However, yesterday seen my return to form spurned on by the introduction of “The Advisor”. Their identity much like “The Stig” on BBC’s Top Gear will remain a secret but from here on in they are my mentor on all issues health and fitness related.

I’m glad to announce that I weighed myself today to find that I was only 1.5lbs heavier than last week… the relief was immense.

Being Considered: A weekly post strictly for recording my daily exercise regime and maybe diet content.

Shoulder update...

Last weeks swim didn’t seem to irritate my shoulder and so yesterday I did another 25 lengths. Why not 50 as I hoped? Well I had walked round Hillsborough lake twice on my way there… Sport Billy am I!

My weight today...

19st 7.5lbs (2lbs lighter than last week, 27.5lbs lost in total)

25 lengths...

In a drive to ward of boredom within my exercise regime I took myself swimming today. This is a sport I love and it was a joy to get back in the water. I only did 25 lengths as a mark of respect to my dodgy shoulder – but if it doesn’t hurt over the next few days next week I’ll maybe do 50. I’ll let ya know….

My weight today...

19st 9.5lbs (2.75lbs lighter than last week, 25.5lbs lost in total)

Nervously awaiting the morning...

I must say that last Monday’s news that I had put on weight was a sever kick in the… motivation department. I drowned my sorrows on Monday with a Chip for lunch but quickly climbed back on the wagon by teatime. The rest of the week has been good on both the fronts of diet and exercise, so if there is any justice I should be a pound or two lighter.

Interestingly some people have commented (without encouragement) this week that I look like I have lost weight – I love that when it happens. I also think that some clothes are fitting better and so this has helped to re-motivate me also. What will tomorrow bring? I don’t know but for now I’m holding on to the complements…

Totally depressing...

To be honest I'm not sure why I put on a pound and a quarter... I'm a little baffled after training very hard last week and being good diet wise. Anyway its chin up time!

My weight today

19st 12.25lbs (1.25lbs heavier than last week, 22.75lbs lost in total)

Your chance to vote...

As I said a while back I’ve found it essential to get a little variety into my exercise regime. Recently I’ve been climbing Slieve Croob and to my surprise really enjoying it. The views up there are great and the feeling of peace powerful. I’ve also been having a great time doing the Kinallen circuit which considering its size doesn’t take long however the beautiful wee lane I use can just scream of God’s creation and wonder.

I want to get some other stuff in this summer like swimming and perhaps evening doing a few exercise classes. This takes me to my wonky shoulder. It has not been giving me that much jip of late however I know the moment I swim it will. So the old debate of Chiropractor or Physiotherapist comes back into play. Debs votes Physio but in what direction do my other readers vote?

My weight today...

19st 11lbs (1.5lb lighter than last week, 24lbs lost in total)

Jean Size

YOOOO I've dropped another jean size... Great!!

My weight on Monday past...

19st 12.5lbs (1lb lighter than last week, 22.5lbs lost in total)

This months measurements...

Neck = 17 Inches (Same as last month, an inch smaller than start)
Upper Arm = 14.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, 1 inch smaller than start)
Fore Arm = 12 Inches (Same as last month, same as start)
Chest = 48 Inches (Same as last month, 5 inches smaller than start)
Stomach = 57 Inches (Same as last month, 2 inches smaller than start)
Waist = 45Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, 5 inches smaller than start)
Thigh = 28 Inches (1 inch smaller than last month, 1 inch smaller than start)
Calf = 17 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, 2 inches smaller than start)

Weighting the Issue

It’s great not to be on this adventure alone. I know most of you will already know about this but Emma Duncan is also on a mission to shed some pounds and has decided to use blog as a tool to help her. Check it out – as usual its top notch and called "Weighting the issue"

Wooo I’m under 20 stone and 1½ stone lighter!

Yup it’s a major achievement and big boost to the campaign. For the last two weeks I’ve been working out hard. I’ve not really been great at controlling my diet but I’ve been focusing on the exercise front. I’ve introduced variety by means of walking and on some occasions I’ve done 40 minutes on the bike, 40 minutes walking and then my weights routine. I’m feeling the pace but I’ve been floating on air since I weighed myself. May the progress continue.

My weight today...

19st 13.5lbs (4.75lbs lighter than last week, 21.5lbs lost in total)

My Weight on Monday past...

20st 4.25lbs (same as last week, 16.75lbs lost in total)

Treading water...

Ok so I’ve been treading water since mid-January. Over the last two weeks I’ve been exercising all parts of me but unfortunately that has also included my mouth and I’ve been eating all sorts. So this week the focus will be to get my food intake and exercise to complement each other. I haven’t time to write about it today but I’m considering ditching my targets and consider using 18 stone as my summer target. This is looking more like a 2 year project every day…

My weight today...

20st 4.25lbs (0.75lbs heavier than last week, 16.75lbs lost in total)

My weight on Monday past...

20st 3.5lbs (2lbs lighter than last week, 17.5lbs lost in total)

It was bound to happen sometime!

It was bound to happen, and it did… Yes I got distracted, my focus and motivation went and I fell of the wagon. This past week, well after Wednesday I tried to sharpened up my act. Yet still I felt like I was dragging my heels and going through the motions. I trained 3 times and my food consumption was slightly better in nature and quantity but its still all along way off from being were it was 3 weeks ago.

I keep telling myself that this journey started in late October with small steps and if I could at least return to small steps it would mean I am travelling in the right direction. It’s tough and if I’m honest in the past when I got to this level of frustration and failure I gave up. Not this time but!!! I’m going to negotiate my boundaries for the incoming week with Jane and start again… Let’s keep pushing and if only a tiny amount of progress is realised I’m still on the right path and travelling in the right direction.

My weight today

20st 5.5lbs (4lbs heavier than last week, 15.5lbs lost in total)

A brief refection

What can I say? I’m in the midst of a self pity party feeling like life has thrown everything at me over the past 4 – 6 weeks. I don’t really want to go into detail but I can honestly say that motivation is fairly hard to come by and over the past week I have eaten everything and anything I could get my hands on. My need for comfort felt so urgent and intense. So it’s to my surprise that I record that I lost 4 lbs. I’m not complaining in fact, I’m rejoicing!! When you consider what I ate and the fact I didn’t exercise once there is no explanation for it, other than a direct encouragement from God.

On the scary side, last night I remembered a promise I made to God shortly after my recent car accident. The promise was that the car accident wouldn’t interfere, I wouldn’t leave my diet and the campaign wasn’t over. Well, we all know what happened those who broke promises or covenants to God in the Bible and so this week I’m back on the wagon and there ain’t no mistaken that!!!

Ps. Thanks Em’s your words of encouragement were timely…

My weight today...

20st 1.5lbs (4lbs lighter than last week, 19.5lbs lost in total)

My weight this day last week...

20st 5.5lbs (2.25lbs heavier than last week, 15.5lbs lost in total)

My weight today...

20st 5.25lbs (2lbs heavier than last week, 15.75lbs lost in total)

This months measurements...

Neck = 17 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, an inch smaller than start)
Upper Arm = 15 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, 0.5 inches smaller than start)
Fore Arm = 12 Inches (0.5 inch smaller than last month, same as start)
Chest = 48 Inches (1 inch smaller than last month, 5 inches smaller than start)
Stomach = 57 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, 2 inches smaller than start)
Waist = 45.5 Inches (2.5 inches smaller than last month, 4.5 inches smaller than start)
Thigh = 29 Inches (same as last month, same as start – strangely looking a lot smaller)
Calf = 17.5 Inches (1 inch smaller than last month, 1.5 inches smaller than start)

My weight today...

20st 3.25lbs (1.75lbs lighter than last week, 17.75lbs in total)

A word to the ignorant...

As you know pre Christmas I was having issues with high blood pressure and so the other day I thought I would get it checked again. When I first realised my blood pressure was high it was the 16th November and it sat at 151mmHg/92mmHg. Since then I have trained 3 - 5 times a week, watched my diet and lost a stone. Keeping that in mind and with my head held high I wandered into the chemist straight from a 40 minute brisk walk to get my blood pressure taken. Only to be hit with the reality that my blood pressure stood at a whopping 164mmHg/90mmHg. Why so high, I was gutted!!


So I made an appointment with my doctor and yesterday he took another reading. Whilst doing so I shared with him the story and as I did he started to smile. I could have slapped him as he mocked the afflicted and then with sudden relief I could have kissed him for his insight. He, as he gently chuckled, told me that my blood pressure would naturally be high after exercise. He then went on to tell me that my blood pressure was better than his and as of yesterday now stands at 134mmHg/82mmHg. What a result… So my advice – never take your blood pressure after exercise, apparently your meant to wait until you have recover your breath and then wait a further 15 minutes.

More statistical analysis of my current health will shortly follow…

I've lost my first stone!!

My weight today...

20st 5lbs (2.25lbs lighter than last week, 16lbs in total)

Inspiration & Support... An appeal!

One day as I was walking through Tesco’s I found a DVD player for £15. To good to be missed I bought it and it now resides in my gym, sorry lets not get carried away – garage. Having also brought my old video player into the garage I watched my videos of U2 in concert as I trained and found it very helpful. Suitably inspired I bought this reduced DVD of Coldplay live from my friends at Amazon and I must say I’ve enjoyed it.


So I thought I would appeal to you my readers to support my efforts by loaning me any DVDs you may have of concerts! (My taste is fairly broad) Leave me a message if your willing, I’d appreciate it.

My weight on Monday past - opps!!

20st 7.25lbs
(1.75lbs lighter than last week, 13.75lbs in total - 0.25lbs away from my first stone)

Jean size...

Yoooo I've dropped a jean size - COOL!!!

Reviewing the strategy and progress (Part 4)

Targets - Having thought about it now that we are the other side of Christmas I need achievable targets made up of small steps. Its been a mistake to publish these three alone;

*Below 21st for Christmas '06
*16st for Summer '07
*14st for Christmas '07

So my targets now look like this;

*31st January – below 20 st.
*28th February – below 19st.7lbs.
*31st March – below 19 st.
*30th April – below 18st. 7lbs.
*31st May – below 18 st.
*30th June – 17st 7lbs.
*31st July – below 17st.
*31st August – below 16st 7lbs

Getting below 20st for the end of the month will take some doing but I thought it was worth a shot!!

My weight today...

20st 9lbs (3lbs lighter than last week 12lbs in total)

Reviewing the strategy and progress (Part 3)

Well it’s been 2 months since I started and if I’m honest I was hoping to have lost more than the 9lbs I have. Having said that, let’s remember that Christmas stretched over two weeks of that. I am particularly proud of my track record on exercise (pardon the pun). For those eight weeks and including the Christmas period I exercised 3 times a week for the first six weeks and for the final three five times a week.

However, I’m now at a junction were I need to decide what I’m training with and for. My theatre of pain now includes the following instruments of torture;

*Weights bench
*Bike trainer
*Swiss ball
*Heart monitor


I haven’t made my mind up on the challenge to cycle Ireland although those near and dear to me from my father to wife all think it’s a good idea. I suppose my fear is of what may happen if this is raising the bar too high, after all the challenge is to cross Ireland in eight days meaning cycling 60 miles a day. What a psychological blow and crisis of morale it would be if I got to September and wasn’t fit enough. Or if I got injured (and then as would be typical of me throw the baby out of the bath water) and stop all together.

The most important thing for me is to lose the weight and adopt a healthy and permanent lifestyle as I do. I don’t want to loss sight of that or damage my chances through playing with fire. However, I’m still undecided I may yet go for it.

So what does my weekly exercise regime look like? Here it is…

Monday
Stamina: - 40 mins stationary cycling @ 120 – 140bpm (Heart beats per minute)
Weights training

Tuesday
REST

Wednesday
Aerobic: - ie Hill walking / road cycling (40 mins)
3 sets of 15 sit ups

Thursday
Stamina: - 40 mins stationary cycling @ 120 – 140bpm
Weights training

Friday
Aerobic: - Hill walking / road cycling (40 mins)
3 sets of 15 sit ups

Saturday
REST

Sunday
Stamina: - 40 mins stationary cycling @ 120 – 140bpm
Weights training

It needs tweaked in places and if I’m honest I feel to a certain extent out of my depth. I need to decide what my goals are and what I want to achieve. Weight loss is the first priority but after that what is my focus. Off the bat here’s what comes to mind.

*I want to be fit enough to climb Slieve Donard with my Dad and not be punctured either during or after it.

*I want to be able to cycle 30 miles of any stretch of road and not be beat by it.

*I want my body to have a respectable shape.

More analysis to come…

A Challenge worth thinking about?

For a while I have wondered about taking on something like this… (Click on link or picture below) but is now the right time? What do you think? I have swayed quite a lot and mostly towards saying no but tonight I had a conversation that has made me re-think! Click the link and let me know your thoughts? If I said yes would you fancy tagging along too?

Don't get the wrong idea...

The weights bench is not so that I can build a body to pose with nor is it for developing the strength of Samson. It’s for ensuring that I’m not left with a saggy frumpy bag of bones for a body after shedding 7.5 stone.

My latest instrument of torture for my theatre of pain…

This is my very generous Christmas gift from Jane!! I’ve wanted a weights bench since I was 14 when the closest thing I could afford was a chest expander out of Argos. Actually come to think of it, 17 years is long enough for Peter Murphy to have borrowed that!! The bench is a Marcy Half Smith complete with a 50Kg Beny weight set… all I have to do now is figure out what I’m going to do with it!

Prepare yourself for an avalanche...

To be honest some of the results today baffle me… Certainly the additional weight didn’t as hey Christmas arrived but some of the measurements are strange to say the least. I’m not down hearted, Christmas is over and from tomorrow the healthy eating and active lifestyle returns.

I’ve had so many thoughts over the holidays; prepare yourself for an avalanche of blog posts shortly.

This months measurements...

Neck = 17.5 Inches (Same as last month, 0.5 inches smaller than start)
Upper Arm = 15.5 Inches (0.5 inches bigger than last month, same as start)
Fore Arm = 12.5 Inches (1 inch bigger than last month, o.5 inches bigger than start)
Chest = 49 Inches (2.5 inches smaller than last month, 4 inches smaller than start)
Stomach = 57.5 Inches (1.5 inches smaller than last month, 1.5 inches smaller than start)
Waist = 48 Inches (1 inch bigger than last month, 2 inches smaller than start)
Thigh = 29 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, same as start)
Calf = 18.5 Inches (0.5 inches smaller than last month, 0.5 inches smaller than start)

My weight today... New Years Day '07

20st 12lbs (3lbs heavier than last week, 9lbs lighter in total)

What a Christmas present...

This Christmas morning being a Monday I weighed myself – a strange thing to do on Christmas day and certainly something I’ve never done before!! I was startled to realise that last week I managed to loose 5.5lbs…. **Simply incredible** The benefits of 5 training sessions in a week are rich indeed…. and I've managed to well and truely reach my Christmas target of below 21st!

My weight today... Christmas '06

20st 9lbs (5.5lbs lighter than last week, 12lbs lighter in total)

Happy Christmas Folks...

Merry Christmas, I hope you have a great one and thanks for all your support!!!

Christmas Strategy...

The Christmas strategy as I’ve explained in previous posts goes as follows:

*Three days will be outside of the diet.
*Those days include, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Eve.
*Those days are outside of the diet but must not be out of control.

So far it’s going great and last night at our first wee family get together I held it down well. Happy days!!

Reviewing the strategy and progress (Part 2)

Well it’s Sunday and I usually set targets for the incoming week. I have to say that I’ve found this helpful and I plan to continue with it however the ban on the big bad four I’m going to loosen. To be honest crisps, chocolate and ice-cream rarely cross my mind but I have to say that chips are still a struggle… I confess that for most of my life I have had an unhealthy obsession with them but to be honest its hard to avoid them. Now as I type this I smell a lie, but perhaps its ok to have them once a week.

Training Update & next weeks targets

I trained 5 times this week on my new bike trainer (4 times for 20 minutes and once for 30) and twice did 30 aerobic sit ups and 20 press ups…

Targets for next week (To be Christmas day or after)